Bats found dead: Has Nipah Virus reached Himachal Pradesh?

The reason for fear is because of the fact that fruit bats are the major carriers of the virus.

Over 15 bats were found dead in Nahan town in Himachal Pradesh's Sirmaur District, triggering fears that it could have been due to the deadly Nipah Virus, which has killed around 12 people in Kerala. So far, the confirmed cases of Nipah Virus infection have been reported only from Kerala.

The reason for fear is because of the fact that fruit bats are the major carriers of the virus. Around 15 bats were found dead in a government school in Nahan, reported ANI.

"We have sent their samples for investigation and have sensitized the administration teachers and students about Nipah virus," Chief Medical Officer of Sirmaur district, Dr Sanjay Sharma, told ANI.

According to World Health Organisation (WHO), Nipah virus causes severe nerve damage in humans and animals and its symptoms include fever, headache, drowsiness, disorientation and mental confusion.

The outbreak can be seen at the places where particular species of bats, fruit bats are in higher number as well as the agriculture pattern. The virus is spread after the fruit bat throw consumed fruits which are later eaten by animals or human. The saliva of the fruit bat contains this virus.

On Tuesday, two persons suspected to be infected with Nipah virus were admitted to a hospital in Karnataka's Mangalore. Their blood samples were sent to KMC Hospital in Manipal for the test. There is no confirmation as yet that the virus has spread out of Kerala.